Island Princess : A Tasty Cruise

This review originally ran in The Daily Express words (c) Gilly Pickup

​So there we were, in a farmhouse surrounded by blackberry-laden hedges, rolling hills and wizened olive trees in the heart of the Tuscan countryside. Our animated chef was working with lightning speed showing us how to make pasta. She made it look so easy. As we worked she told us all sorts of culinary tips. Crushing garlic? Use the base of a jam jar. Cutting pizza? Use scissors. Frying? Don’t use the same oil twice.

We had arrived that morning in Livorno, the port for Florence and Pisa on cruise ship Island Princess. We would be there for the day so it was a hard decision about which shore excursion to choose – no easy feat with twelve options jostling for interest. Let’s opt for the tour of Florence, Mike said. Certainly it sounded interesting and neither of us had been to the Academia, home to Michaelangelo’s sculpture David, or seen the Piazza del Duomo, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. What about Cinque Terre, a UNESCO world heritage site on the Italian Riviera? I pondered. But it was the chance to learn to make Italy’s most famous dish right here in its birthplace which won the day.

Click on any image to enlarge - images (c) Gilly Pickup​In fact, lots of foodie elements were incorporated into this itinerary, not only by way of shore excursions but also on the ship itself. New to Princess is Chocolate Journeys, a theme rolled out across the fleet. Menus offer fifteen chocolate desserts including chocolate pistachio dome with almond and pistachio nougatine and chocolate truffles, which feature at the Captain’s welcome party. Passengers can expect to find chocolate inspired cocktails on menus too. There’s the unappetising sounding ‘Dirty Piglet’ - tastier than it sounds. This bourbon based drink comes with a touch of vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate dipped bacon. The ‘Salted Caramel Hard Shake’ is a mix of caramel, cream, sea salt and chocolate, shaken with bacardi. Princess Cruises chocolate goodies are not just for eating and drinking though. Those who simply can’t get enough of the cacao bean can wallow in it with chocolate-y spa treatments such as chocolate renewal scrub, whipped chocolate body mask and chocolate massage oil.

​ Click on any image to enlarge - images (c) Princess Cruises, Mike & Gilly PickupThe ship’s next stop was Toulon in the south of France - one advantage of seeing the region by ship is that somewhere else always comes along soon - and we hopped on a coach which whisked us through the glorious countryside that is Provence. We passed herby landscapes peppered with quaint fortified towns before arriving at Le Castellet, a medieval village with amber-coloured, flower-bedecked houses, their wooden shutters half closed like sleepy eyelids. We toured a vineyard surrounded by fields of scarlet poppies where we learned how to check a wine’s colour and clarity and how to smell, taste and analyse the flavour. It was enjoyable and a great way to soak up the local atmosphere, not to mention the local wine. ​Back on board, Island Princess has plenty of eating options. If you're not breakfasting in Horizon Court, having lunch in Alfredo’s Pizzeria or The Grill or dining in the Provence restaurant, then you need to try afternoon tea, a little mountain of sandwiches and cakes in the Bordeaux dining room. If you can't fit all that in and believe me, it isn't easy to find the time, you can opt for room service. There are also two reservations-only dinner venues where a reasonable supplement is payable. One is the Italian-themed Sabatini’s, all Roman pillars and Italian-esque murals, the other is the Bayou Café & Steakhouse, a New Orleans-style restaurant featuring Cajun and Creole specialties eaten to a background of live jazz.

For guests in balcony cabins who want to splurge on a special treat, perhaps honeymooners or those celebrating something special, the ‘Ultimate Balcony Dining’ option is the way to go. As the name suggests, this is where a waiter sets up and serves a meal on your balcony. If you opt for breakfast – it costs $45 per couple - you can expect a half bottle of champagne and plates with fresh quiche, fruit and forest berries, smoked salmon with dill cream cheese and (too many!) pastries. A four-course dinner which costs $100 per couple, is along similar lines but more full on – a waiter dresses your table with sparkling white linen and flowers, offers champagne and canapés, then the ship’s photographer appears and takes a (complimentary) photo.

But even though there’s all that food around, you don’t have to put on weight while cruising. Avoid the lifts and use the staircase and don’t eat more than you would at home for breakfast and lunch. Besides, there is a gym on board and opportunities to take fitness classes too, so there’s no excuse for an expanding waistline!